15/01/2026
Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city with around 290,000 inhabitants. The city is located on the west coast, surrounded by seven mountains, and is famous for its rainy climate.
Key features:
Bergen has been an important trading city since the Middle Ages. Bryggen, the old Hanseatic wharf with its wooden buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city’s most famous landmark. The city served as Norway’s capital in the 13th century and has a rich cultural history.
Today, Bergen is a center for the oil industry, shipping, fisheries, and aquaculture. The University of Bergen is one of the country’s largest educational institutions. The city has a vibrant cultural scene with the Bergen International Film Festival, the Bergen International Festival, and an active music scene.
Fløyen and Ulriken are popular mountains for hikers, with the Fløibanen funicular being a well-known cable car up to Mount Fløyen. The Fish Market in the city center is a bustling meeting place where you can buy fresh seafood.
Bergen residents are known for their distinctive dialect and civic pride. The rain - the city gets over 200 rainy days per year - has become part of the city’s identity and humor.